Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor I

State of Delaware•Dover, DE

About The Position

This is the entry level of vocational rehabilitation counseling work, providing services that assist eligible individuals with physical or mental disabilities to achieve greater independence through employment. Employees perform the full range of Essential Functions, completing routine and standardized assignments under close supervision. Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, employees can complete job duties of a similar kind not specifically listed here.

Requirements

Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social, Health or Behavioral Science, Education, or related field.
Coursework, training, and/or work experience in case management such as assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet an individual’s human service needs using effective counseling or interviewing techniques as well as other available resources such as service plans or case management systems.
Coursework, training, and/or work experience in health or human services work such as applying theories, principles, laws and practices of health or human services programs and services that assist with and improve life for individuals, families, or communities such as financial support, employment, unemployment, housing, health care, disease prevention, substance abuse, child protective services, physical/mental health treatment and prevention or vocational rehabilitation.
Coursework, training, and/or work experience in narrative report writing.

Responsibilities

Provides specialized vocational rehabilitation services, counseling, and support to clients and family members that promote successful employment and greater independence.
Conducts interviews and completes comprehensive assessments to identify a client’s aptitudes, abilities, education level, interests, and to gather or verify other relevant data.
Obtains and evaluates employment, medical, psychological, psychiatric, social, educational, and vocational information to determine eligibility for and provision of vocational rehabilitation services and identify client needs and appropriate resources.
Develops employment rehabilitation plans that identify services, establish performance measures, and outline goals that align with each client’s abilities and priorities.
Identifies barriers to client employment, such as inaccessible work sites, inflexible schedules, or transportation problems, and works with clients to develop strategies for overcoming these barriers.
Provides individualized services such as career counseling, guidance, and job training, and participates in job development and placement programs including contacting prospective employers, placing clients in jobs, and evaluating placement outcomes.
Ensures compliance with agency, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, professional mandates, and best practices.
Coordinates and integrates a variety of services with other agencies, medical facilities, educational institutions, and community resources to meet client employment goals and needs.
Tracks and monitors progress in achieving identified goals and performance measures through regular contact with clients and makes necessary adjustments.
Prepares and maintains a variety of records and reports that clearly and accurately document details and outcomes of each case.
Uses automated case management systems and computer software to research, review, analyze, document, and report on client information.
Meets with clients and family members through telephone, email, and in-person interactions.
Communicates and interacts effectively with people across cultures, ranges of ability, genders, ethnicities, ages, and races.
Performs other related duties as required.